Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH — As part of the monthlong Francophonie celebrations in Saudi Arabia, the French Consulate General in Jeddah on Sunday hosted a scientific conference titled «The Discovery of Arabia by the French/Jeddah, the Door of Arabia”.

The event, moderated by Louis Blin, was preceded

by the screening of “Au Bonheur des Dames», a classical silent movie, on Thursday at the residence of Consul General of France Mostafa Mihrage.

The movie screening was accompanied by an authentic piano recital by Karol Beffa.

«Au Bonheur des Dames» was the last silent film directed by Julien Duvivier in 1930. It is also one of his best works well recognized in France. Karol Beffa, an improvising pianist and composer, with eight first prizes obtained at the CNSMDP, has a high-flying career in the French grandes écoles.

The annual celebration of Francophonie culture and diversity happens once a year every March. It is celebrated by 220 million French language speakers all over the world. French is the official language in 29 countries and the second most learned language in the European Union.

The month is celebrated by 84 member states of the International Organization of La Francophonie, a global foundation whose members have in common the French language and certain values such as cultural diversity, peaceful co-existence and democratic governance.